When you save a drowning person, you’ve got to take them to the hospital no matter what, because the water in their lungs might irritate them and cause them to swell later, making it hard to breathe. This is called secondary drowning, and I discovered yesterday don’t even need water to do it.
I was in Kenya, on the sidewalk of a busy, noisy street, and a little girl walked up to us and held out her hand. She was skinny, and her eyes were wide and blank. I gave her 100 shillings (about $1.25) and she whispered what was probably ‘Thanks’ and walked off. So I walk to the market, feeling good. I mean, it wasn’t much, but the only reason it didn’t give her ten times as much was because I wanted to buy stuff for my friends, as well as give to every single poor person I met and put into almost every collection box I saw. But then, on the bus to Tanzania, I got mad. Teeth-grinding, soul-rending furious. Because this shouldn’t happen! Little girls should never, ever be out in the street asking random strangers for change. And half the people in Kenya are suffering from secondary drowning, just like her, because what’s gonna happen after that 100 shillings is spent? What can she even buy with it? How is it gonna save her? And even if she collects enough to keep her alive for another week, all that poverty water will make her lungs swell right back up. And so it’s onward to more shame, vulnerability and living according to what kind of mood the lady on the street is in. Naw, man. it’s got to end now. So on the bus I had another idea. I once read about a place in Italy with ton loads of cats. No one person own the cats, but everyone gives them food and lets them stay for as long as they want. These cats are living the good life, and nobody has to spend too much to support them. Why not little people? I’m not saying we should shuttle them around like hot potatoes, but what if a small group of families in a community took care of one or two children? It could be like one big family for everyone, and as long as the volunteers are close and friendly with each other, the children won’t feel displaced when they switch houses. It sounds good to me. So please spread the word around, and get something organized where you are, or volunteer yourself. Even if it’s just you and the neighbours helping out one little person, it’ll be a very, very big thing for the kid. And that’s your unconventional way to help save the world. God bless.
